Blood in stool is often discovered with some anxiety, accompanied suitably by exclamations of bloody (not the expletive but the adjective). Specks of blood, scarlet red, stand out plainly on feces. Crimson red drops of blood stains the toilet tissue. Bright red spots of blood dribble into the toilet bowl or down the legs. Quite naturally, alarm bells ring and cause a sudden surge of fright.
Anxiety is understandable but panic is unwarranted at this stage as the rectal bleeding or hemorrhaging could be attributed to any of 7 possible causes arising from the colon. Whilst the 7 causes will be upsetting, they are treatable with diligent attention to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Do not be complacent. Start paying close attention. If bleeding continues for more than a couple of weeks, and especially if there is persistent pain, visit a medical doctor immediately.
The problem can be solved by suitable treatment once proper diagnosis confirms the precise sickness. More critically, blood in stool may be due to some form of cancer.
Melena and Hematochezia
Whilst typically known as rectal bleeding, medically it is catalogued as hematochezia (bright red or maroon colored blood) or melena (black sticky or tarry stools). Though so called because the blood exits the body via the rectum, the 7 causes may commence in the small or large (colon) intestinal tract. In the colon, the 7 known causes are cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer.
Colorectal Cancer
With yearlong international fatality toll of 640,000, colorectal cancer stands at the 3rd most prevalent cancer and also the 3rd most prevalent reason for death. It is the reason why one must consult a medical specialist for incessant blood in stool.
Colorectal cancer counts among them cancerous tumours in the colon, rectum and appendix. Surgical removal and chemotherapy are customary treatment for colorectal cancer which is primarily detected by colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera introduced via the anus. Fret not for complete recovery is possible with early detection. Higher risk groups comprise those over 50 years of age and those with family history of cancers. Among the top killer cancers, colorectal cancer afflicts both men and women indifferently..
Another crucial piece of information needs to be noted. Unlike what you may have read elsewhere, colorectal cancer customarily brings forth occult (invisible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a customary reason for visible blood in stool! Bleeding resulting from colorectal cancer may be visible or occult (imperceptible to the naked eye), needing special tests for authentication; this based on studies by the University of Michigan Health System. Crucial associated symptoms to watch out for are constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, appetite loss, weight loss and constant fatigue.
Colon Polyp
Raised or flat, polyps are mainly benign growths on the rectum or intestinal walls. Those above 50 years of age and with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer are prone to polyps. Smoking, alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise are contributory causal factors. In truth, the actual culprit has not been pinned down.
For safety sake, benign polyps are usually excised during colonoscopy as they may become malignant. The majority of people who have polyps show no symptoms at all. But in some people, blood in stool crop up.
Diverticulosis
This is the growth of pouches or pockets (diverticula), extending out of the colon wall. Abnormal colon pressure is assumed to be the reason of diverticula growth. An absence of dietary fiber is believed to be an ancillary factor. Infection (diverticulitis) may set in if food gets stuck in the diverticula. If a diseased diverticulum bursts open, bacteria will spread into the abdominal cavity leading to dangerous complications. Peritonitis, which is potentially fatal, can develop.
Symptoms, if at all, are seldom distinct. Some may may be affected by symptoms of constipation, bloating and mild cramps. Nausea, vomiting and rectal bleeding are the more acute symptoms. The dangers posed by peritonitis reaffirm the view that blood in stool should first be examined by a doctor. A CT (computed tomography) scan is 98% effectual in diagnosing diverticulitis.
Ulcerative Colitis
Colitis falls under the grouping of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammation is a robust response of the body when its tissues are wounded. Often too much of a good thing can become harmful; so it is with inflammation, which if left irrepressible upon regenerating weakened tissue can itself be the cause of more tissue damage. Ulceration or wearing away of the mucous membrane lining lead to ulcerative colitis.
Apart from other symptoms, blood in stool is common. Identifying colitis as the cause of rectal bleeding is important as it can result in perforation of the colon and ultimately, peritonitis.
Crohn’s Disease
An inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease is also an auto-immune disease which inflames the gastrointestinal tract in a destructive way. From the mouth to the anus, Crohn’s disease can take root in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the primary sites~But it typically affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the main affected areas.
Genetic makeup, smoking and industrial environmental exposure are believed to be contributory causal factors even though clear-cut causes are unknown. The symptoms are blood in stool, serious bloody diarrhea, blood in toilet bowl or on toilet tissue, fever and weight loss.
Known also as granulomatous colitis, Crohn’s disease can go into remission and revert periodically throughout life. At present, there is no known surgical or pharmaceutical solution for Crohn’s disease. Early detection is essential for effective control of the symptoms and staving off recurrences.
Intestinal Ischemia
Ischemia is a suppression in blood supply to any part of the body. Tissue damage results due to the deprivation of nutrients and oxygen by dysfunctional arteries. Intestinal ischemia is the depletion blood supply causing inflammation of the large intestine; a result of blood clots, blood vessel constriction and general high blood pressure.
Symptoms include blood in stool, abdominal bloating, abdominal cramps, violent bowel movements, nausea, fever and weight loss. The restoration of intestinal blood supply is a medical emergency if there is persistent pain. Surgery may be required to eradicate infected tissue, blockages and blood clots and to circumvent blocked blood vessels. To impede clots and infections, respective medication includes anticoagulants and antibiotics.
Peptic Ulcer
An exceptionally painful ulcer, this is found in the gastrointestinal tract. At least 0.5cm in diameter, an ulcer is an erosion of the mucosal membrane. Peptic ulcers almost always manifest in the duodenum (initial part of the small intestine) and not in the stomach as commonly believed. Peptic ulcers are generally suspected to be caused by a bacterium that inflicts chronic gastritis.
Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), appetite and weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting blood and intestinal perforation which is dangerous. Potentially deadly peritonitis, which needs emergency surgery, can manifest. In moderate cases, bacteria and acidity can be cured by antibiotics and antacids respectively.
Hemorrhoids
The above 7 causes are the very reasons why rectal bleeding demands the skills of a medical doctor who can conduct a proper diagnosis. Expeditious recovery is feasible with early detection, correct treatment and medication.
After reading this far, it will inevitably be a big relief to know that the most common cause of blood in stool is simply hemorrhoids, both external and internal.
Further Reading
If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Bowel Movement Bleeding - Six Possible Causes Of Rectal Bleeding at our site. Do check this out.
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